'His reputation is already tarnished, so it can't get much worse'

Louis CK has sparked new controversy after announcing a new international tour.

Already a pariah within much of the comedy industry since he admitted masturbating in front of less established female comics, the stand-up is now facing criticism from Palestinian rights activists after agreeing to play dates in Israel.

The disgraced comic has just started a 14-city tour, largely in the US but also including plus Tel Aviv and its suburb Holon, plus Bratislava and Rome. 

When he previously performed in Jerusalem in 2016, the gig was picketed by protestors. 

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has urged artists to shun Israel while the state occupies Palestinian territories, in the same way South Africa was targeted by activists during Apartheid.

Alia Malak from the group said: ‘We are not surprised that some of Louis CK's first shows since he admitted sexual misconduct are in apartheid Tel Aviv. His reputation is already tarnished, so it can't get much worse by performing in an apartheid state against the express appeals of its Palestinian victims.

‘Louis CK performed in occupied Jerusalem in 2016, ignoring appeals from the peaceful picket line set by the absolute majority in Palestinian society. We are not hopeful he will cancel the shows in apartheid Tel Aviv.

‘We urge all comedians to support our nonviolent struggle for human rights, or at the very least, to not artwash Israel's far-right regime of oppression.’

Previously activists have called on artists including Madonna to boycott the nation over its human rights record, while Lana Del Rey and Lorde have called off performances in the country following a backlash from protesters,

When he hosted Saturday Night Live in 2015, CK expressed some sympathy for the plight of Palestinians, likening the Middle East conflict to squabbling children with the US as the parent.

‘My kids are like Israel and Palestine and I’m like America,’ he joked of his own family life. ‘The little one’s like Palestine because she always gets screwed, she gets the worst deal.’

Anyone attending CK’s gigs is required to leave their cellphones in a security pouch, in an attempt to stop the sort of leaks which have previously brought more negative headlines to the beleaguered comic.

After work-in-progress jokes about the survivors of school shootings and trans people caused more outrage, CK threatened audiences with legal action if they repeat any of his material without his ‘express prior written consent’ – though quite how enforceable his demands are has yet to be tested in court.

In a rare email to subscribers announcing his tour, CK said: ‘I am on the road doing professional stand-up comedy. Which consists of sharing jokes, stories, observations, lies, non-lies, and being generally ridiculous for the benefit of a laughing audience. Below are listed some of the places I’m doing these things. Click on the links to buy tickets so you can be there. Or don’t.’

In May, promoters were forced to cancel two Louis CK shows in Leeds less than 24 hours after they were announced, following a huge online backlash.

Published: 5 Nov 2019